For Appointments

202.741.2222

About Us

We believe in treating obesity from an evidence-based medical perspective.

We are a multi-disciplinary team with the goal of putting the patient at the center of our care. We know that a team approach is more likely to help patients be successful. We are excited to help you in your weight loss journey and we truly care that you lose weight.

We begin with a thorough assessment, which is specific to you. We evaluate your lifestyle and health. We review medications which might be contributing to your weight gain, and we may do blood work , such as checking thyroid function and blood sugar level. Then, we work with you to develop a plan to reduce your calorie intake and to increase your level of exercise, and we support you to help you stay with the plan.

We typically ask patients to come back to see us once a month. During some of these monthly visits, you may meet with a dietitian to discuss your nutrient needs. You may also meet with a doctor who can focus on stress management and mindful eating. Other times, our nurse practitioner can make sure you stay on track with the healthy changes you are trying to make. We work with the surgical team when necessary. Learn more about our team.

General Recommendations

Eat at least 5 servings of vegetables a day.

Prepare as many meals at home as you can to control portion size and intake of processed foods.

Choose foods with whole grains instead of processed products with preservatives and additives.

Get between 7-8 hours of sleep a night.

Move more!

Obesity Defined

Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30 kg/m2. This number is an estimate of your total body fat. When it is too high, it can indicate you are at risk for various chronic medical conditions. A healthy body weight is defined as having a BMI of between 18 and 25 kg/m2; overweight is defined as having a BMI between 25 and 29.9 g/m2. Obesity is when your BMI is greater than 30.

Causes of Obesity

Your genes, metabolism, behavior, culture, environment and socio-economic factors each play a role in your fitness and body mass. When you take in more calories than your body burns for energy, you gain weight.

Health Effects of Obesity

Obesity is a medical problem at epidemic proportions, affecting one in three Americans. Obesity is linked to heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, several cancers including cancer of the uterus, breast, ovaries, and colon, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke, liver and gallbladder disease, sleep apnea and breathing problems, osteoarthritis, some types of infertility, and abnormal menstrual periods. You can decrease your risk of developing these problems if you lose 5 to 10 percent of your weight.